Mavelikara Tourism and Travel Guide

Mavelikara is a compact town in the southern state of Kerala in India. Situated on the banks of river Achankovil, the town has a profound cultural as well as historical background. Mavelikara was one of the earliest states in India to be bestowed with urban facilities due to its significant close affiliation with the Travancore royal family. Moreover, it had a super express transport service to Thiruvananthapuram even before India gained independence from the British rule in 1947. The town has held the position of a major centre of religious comradeship, peace, art and culture for several centuries now, and also holds a statue of Buddha in seated position, which is found in very rare places in Kerala. This statue is believed to date back to the 9th Century AD. As far as tourism is concerned, with its innumerable temples, churches and other places of worship, the town acts as a prominent pilgrimage destination. At the heart of Mavelikara is Kottakku akam (Mavelikara Fort). Temples such as Kandiyoor Temple, Chettikulangara Temple and Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple, to name a few, are the most frequented. St Mary's Orthodox Cathedral and St Mary's Catholic Church are the two oldest among the many churches that the town boasts of. Apart from these places, Mavelikara also organises numerous exciting cultural events that ought to be witnessed, specifically the Mother Teresa Trophy Boat Race and Padanilam Sivarathri.